Facial rejuvenation is rapidly evolving sector in the field of facial aesthetics.
There is a wide variety of dermal fillers and many more are in development. Over the
past few years, the study of adult-derived stem cells has become a very active area
of research. Adult stem cells are an attractive option for volume restoration and
facial rejuvenation. Adult stem cells are isolated from adipose tissue-adipose derived
stem cells and have mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal potentials. Adipose-derived
stem cells could conceivably be an alternative to pluripotent embryonic stem cells
and could play a critical role in the rapidly expanding fields of tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine. This article reviews the history of soft tissue augmentation
using adipose tissue grafting and the advent of using adipose-derived stem cells.
The state-of-the-art stem cell isolation technique as well as anticipated future therapeutic
indications are also addressed.
Adipose-derived stem cell - mesenchymal stem cell - tissue engineering - regenerative
medicine - facial rejuvenation - volume restoration